Halaunbrenner



March-31, 1964 HALAUN'BRENNER 3,126,726

WASHING AND DYEING MACHINE FOR FABRICS OPERATING THROUGH FULLING Filed Magrch 26, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 1424:; Hm. A UNBKENNER Mam}! 1964 L. HALAUNBRENNER 3,126,726

WASHING AND DYEING MACHINE FOR FABRICS OPERATING THROUGH FULLING Filed March 26, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 hwy/70A t ZAIAEE A AL/IuA/MEAWER HTTY.

March 31, 1964 L. HALAUNBRENNER 3,126,726 WASHING AND DYEING MACHINE FOR FABRICS OPERATING THROUGH FULLING Filed March 26, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet s V ///A w Awm me March 31, 196 L. HALAUNBRENNER 6,7

- WASHING AND DYEING MACHINE FOR FABRICS OPERATING THROUGH FULLING Filed March 26, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet; 4

United States Patent 3,126,726 WASHING AND DYEING MAHHNE FQR FAEELECS OPERATENG THRQUGH FULLHNG Lazare Halaunhrenner, 17-19 Blvd. Edgar Quintet, fiolombes, Seine, France Filed Mar. 26, 1952, Ser. No. 182,397 Claims priority, application France Mar. 2d, 1961 1 Claim. (tCl. s 96) My invention has for its object a machine for washing or dyeing fabrics and its main object consists in sub jecting such fabrics to be washed or dyed, which are immersed in a washing, dyeing or rinsing liquid, to a succession of pressures, similar to a fulling operation as executed when washing by hand.

To this end, my improved machine includes a container inside which is laid the fabric to be treated and which carries the washing or dyeing liquid, said container being provided with at least one deformable wall and at least one mechanical member adapted to deform said wall, said wall and said member being subjected to a relative movement with reference to each other by means of a power unit through the agency of transmision means.

Generally speaking, the deformable wall is given a cylindrical shape with a vertical axis before deformation, while the deforming members are constituted by cylindrical rollers having vertical axes.

The container may include a rigid outer cylindrical wall, an inner deformable wall coaxial with the former wall and a deformable bottom. In this case, the deforming rollers are constituted by cylinders having a vertical axis and located inside the inner wall of the container. They are secured to a vertical shaft driving them into rotation as provided by a power unit.

The container may also include an inner cylindrical rigid wall, an outer deformable cylindrical wall coaxial with the former and a deformable bottom. In such a case, the deforming rollers are constituted by cylinders having a vertical axis and located outside the container. The rollers are preferably stationary and the container is driven into rotation around its vertical axis by a vertical cylinder which is in its turn tangent to the inner rigid wall and is actuated by the power unit.

According to a further modification, the container includes two deformable coaxial walls which are normally cylindrical and a deformable bottom. Preferably, the container is driven into rotation around its axis. The drive may be obtained through a cylinder having a vertical axis and in contact, through a series of generating lines forming an area, with the container which it deforms.

The deformable bottoms of the different containers are preferably pleated along lines concentric with the axis of the machine.

Lastly, the liquids carried inside the machine are started moving by a pump collecting them at the lower end of the container and delivering them into the upper end of the container, or reversely, with a View to homogenizing said liquids.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a number of embodiments of my improved machine without said embodiments being construed as limitations of the invention as defined in the accompanying claim. In said drawings:

FIGS. 1 and 2 relate to the first embodiment, FIG. 1 being a vertical diametrical cross section of the machine through line II of FIG. 2 and FIG. 2 a horizontal cross section of the machine through line IIII of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the second embodiment, FIG. 3 being a vertical diametrical cross section of said embodiment through the planes defining a dihedral, as shown "ice at IllIll of FIG. 4, while FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic plan view thereof.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a third embodiment, FIG. 5 being a diametrical cross section through line V-V of FIG. 6 and FIG. 6 being a diagrammatic plan view.

FIGS. 7 to 9 relate to a fourth embodiment, FIG. 7 being a vertical diametrical cross section through the planes defining the dihedral shown at VII-VII in FIG. 8, FlG. 8 being a cross section through line VIIIVIII of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 a half-sectional view through the plane defined by the line IXlX of FIG. 8.

Turning now to the first embodiment illustrated in PlGS. 1 and 2, it includes a rigid cylindrical wall 1 inside which is positioned a second wall 2 having a vertical axis and which is originally cylindrical, while a bottom 12 connects the wall 2 with the outer wall of the container thus defined. The wall 2 and the bottom 12 are made of a deformable fluid-tight material such as yielding rubber. As will be disclosed hereinafter, it is of advantage for the bottom 12 to be pleated, as shown in PlG. 1, along annular lines coaxial with the axis of the wall 2. The outer wall 1 is provided with a double horizontal bottom 11 to which is secured a support terminating at its upper end with a bearing having a vertical axis, as shown at 6, coaxial with a bearing 13 carried by the double bottom 11. A vertical shaft 5 is revolvably carried in both bearings. Said shaft carries at its lower end a pulley 8 which provides its drive through the agency of a belt and a pulley 9 driven by an electric motor lit The shaft 5 is rigid with a forked member 4 lying in a radial plane, the ends of which carry a freely revolvable shaft arranged vertically. Said shaft is rigid with a coaxial cylindrical roller 3 bearing against the vertical deformable wall 2 so that it may deform said wall and reduce the breadth of the gap between the latter and the wall 1.

it is apparent that when the motor drives the forked member 4 into rotation, the roller 3 moves and deforms the yielding wall 2 while the roller moves along its rotary path, as allowed by the presence of the pleated bottom 12.

The treating liquid provided for washing, rinsing or dyeing is housed in the space separating the outer rigid wall ll from the inner wall 2 and closed by the bottom 12. The fabric to be treated, such as garments, linen or the like, is laid in said space in an amount sufiicient for it to be readily fulled. Under such conditions, the roller 3 deforms the wall 2, compresses the fabric as it passes and produces movements similar to those of a fulling operation when Washing by hand. The liquid impregnating the fabric is driven gradually out of the linen and sucked out into the spaces left between the pieces of fabric after the passage of the roller and, at the same time, the fabric is subjected to compressional and stretching stresses without any friction, which do not lead to any substantial wear of the fabric.

An improvement which is not illustrated and is described with reference to the further embodiments to be disclosed consists in providing the shaft carrying the roller 3 with elastic bearings between it and the forked member 4, so as to prevent any breaking or locking of said shaft when registering with a bundle of linen which opposes any further rotation of the roller.

Lastly, the apparatus is provided with cocks and possibly with a pump, which is not illustrated, which ensures the filling and emptying by means of various liquids and also the flow of the latter through the vat.

In the second embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the structure differs from that of the first embodiment, chiefly through the fact that it includes two vertical rollers 3 instead of only one, said rollers being arranged in opposite diametrical relationship with reference to the snaeyme vertical axis, which reduces the dissymmetrical stresses exerted on the shaft rotating with the fork.

The machine is again constituted in this case by an outer rigid wall ll, an inner deformable wall 2 which is originally cylindrical and is provided with a vertical axis, and a pleated bottom 12 of deformable material. But, furthermore, a cylindrical rigid and perforated wall lb having a vertical axis is fitted between the walls 1 and 2. The pieces of fabric to be washed are laid between the walls 1b and 2.

The motor 10 drives, through the pulleys 9 and 8 and a belt, the vertical shaft carrying two forks 4b arranged symmetrically with reference to said shaft. The shaft 5 carries at its lower end roller bearings 6b and 13b. The rollers 3 act in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

In FIG. 3, I have illustrated the elastic means which allow the rollers 3 to match the shape of the bundles of fabric formed during treatment. The aforementioned elastic means, in the case illustrated, include four telescopically acting, radial, horizontal rods Which support the ends of the shafts carrying the rollers 3. Each of these horizontal rods engages a radial recess formed in the corresponding forked member 4, with the interposition of a spring 14.

The treating liquid fills the spaces defined between the wall 1, the perforated wall lb and the yielding wall 2, while the linen or the like fabric is laid between the walls 1b and 2.

A pump 75 provides a continuous circulation of the washing liquid through the pipes 16 and 17 if it is considered advantageous to mix the liquid which has impregnated the fabrics with the fresh liquid carried in the space between 1 and 1b. This shows the purpose of the intermediate perforated wall 1b. Cocks which are not illustrated allow emptying or filling the container with a washing liquid.

In the third embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the same principle is applied, but the deformable wall is located in front of a stationary roller providing for its deformation.

In this case, the machine includes a stationary outer casing 110 and an inner rigid rotary cylinder 10 extending into a horizontal flange 60 facing outwardly. An annulus 130 secured to the bottom of the stationary outer casing 110 serves as a support for the flange 60 through the agency of a roller bearing 50. Obviously, arrangements of a known type which are not illustrated hold fast said flange 6c in contact with the roller bearing and allow the rotation of the cylinder 10 around its geometrical vertical axis -15.

The rotary cylinder 10 carries outwardly an originally cylindrical wall 2 having also for its axis the line 1515, said wall 2 being made of a fluid-tight deformable material and being connected with the cylinder 10 through a deformable bottom 12 similar to the bottom illustrated in FIG. 1. To prevent any collapsing of the yielding wall 2 which is not self-supported on the pleated bottom 12, means should be used as pivotal link systems 13 similar to those used in pantographs, for the interconnection of the two walls 1c and 2, the point of attachment of said pantographs on the deformable wall 2 being adapted to move horizontally, only.

Thus, the annular vat constituted by the parts 10, 2 and 12 can rotate round the axis 15-15. Said vat is filled with a treating liquid and carries the fabric to be washed. The liquid may flow out through one or more lower ports 19 adapted to be closed if required into an outlet 20 or into a closed pipe system, from which the liquid is sucked out again by the pump 75 and recycled into the pipe 16 so as to enter the upper end of the vat, which allows renewing the liquid for washing after it has passed over the fabric.

The vat is driven into rotation by the motor 10, the pulleys 9 and 8, and a belt between the latter. The pulley 8 is secured to a vertical shaft 21 coaxially rigid with the cylindrical roller 22. This vertical shaft 21 is carried at its upper end by a horizontal cross-member 23 rigidly secured to the stationary outer cylinder through the agency of a U-shaped carrier member 24. Said shaft 21 is also locked at its lower end on a stationary cross member 25. The cylindrical roller 22 engages the vat cylinder 1c tangentially under a predetermined pressure and carries along the latter when it revolves. The shaft 21 may be released with reference to the cross member 25. A pivotal link system 26 at its upper end allows shifting aside the cylinder 22 for inspection and upkeep.

The deforming roller 3 illustrated in FIG. 5 provides for the deformation of the deformable wall 2. Its axis is stationary and its periphery deforms said wall 2 as the latter moves in front of it. The roller 3 may revolve around its shaft 23 carried in the same manner as the shaft 21 by the cross members 23 and 25. The shaft 28 is locked at its upper end to the cross member 23 and it is pivotally secured at its lower end 27. It may thus rock outwardly upon release, as shown in dot-and-dash lines in FIG. 5 for upkeep and repair.

In the fourth embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9, the machine includes an outer vat 1d provided with a double bottom and partly closed at its upper end by a central plate 30 resting on a hollow support 31 inside which is located the motor 10 driving the machine. The vat ld is furthermore closed by a flat annulus 32 rigid with the cylindrical part of the vat and surrounding the central plate 30 with which it is coplanar. A slight gap exists between the annulus 32 and the plate 30.

The actual washing vat 2d has a horizontal annular cross section and is constituted by a fluid-tight deformable material such as rubber, both as concerns its lateral walls and its lower bottom section 12d which is pleated as described for the bottom 12 in FIG. 1. The washing vat 2d terminates at its upper end with channelled sections engaging the corresponding edges 33 and 34 of the covering members 30 and 32. The inner washing vat is thus suspended and may revolve as provided by its upper channelled sections 37 around its geometrical axis 3535. Of course, these channelled sections of the washing vat are suitably reinforced so as to resist torsional stresses. This may be provided for instance by one or more metal annuli embedded in the material forming the vat. Furthermore, although the vat is deformable, as disclosed, it is stiffened along generating lines parallel with its axis, at least along its inner wall of a smaller diameter, or else, by the nature of the material forming it, or else, by means of rigid bars, parallel with said axis and embedded in the material forming the washing vat. Furthermore, a number of diametrical stays such as 36 hold the upper sections of the walls of the washing vat apart and chiefly this prevents the channelled sections 37 from disengaging their bearings.

The washing vat 2d is driven into rotation around its axis 35-35 by a driving roller 38 of which the vertical shaft 39 is driven by the pulleys 8 and 9 interconnected by a belt and driven by the motor 19. Said roller is positioned so as to deform the inner wall of the vat 2d while engaging it throughout a series of generating lines forming a contact area. The rotation of the roller 38 has consequently for its result the rotation of the vat 2d.

Three other rollers 39, 40 and 41 are adapted to deform the washing vat 2d and are arranged along the same diameter as the driving roller 38 so as to form two pairs of rollers engaging the inside and the outside of the vat wall. Of these, the rollers 39 and 41 are fitted on vertical shafts carried by horizontal arms 42 engaging recesses 44 formed in the parts rigid with the outer vat 1d, said arms bearing on springs 43 housed inside said recesses. Rollers 3% and 41 may thus follow the modifications in shape of the fabric bundles which may possibly form inside the washing vat 2d.

The washing vat is provided with exhaust ports which are not illustrated in its bottom 12d and the washing liquid" flows out into a trough 4-5 or into a closed pipe system, out of which the liquid is sucked by the pump 46 (FIG. 9) and returned into the upper section of the washing vat 2d.

In all the above embodiments, the treating liquid, instead of flowing upwardly in the washing container, may be set into movement downwardly by means of suitable connections for the pump. This allows holding fabrics suspended in the treating liquid and prevents the formation of bundles which impede the proper operation of the machines.

By reason of this manner of treating the fabric, my improved machine, in its various embodiments, is suitable for dyeing pieces of fabric by means of a dyeing liquid.

What I claim is:

A machine for dyeing and washing pieces of fabric comprising a container for pieces of fabric and a treating liquid, said container including an outer rigid cylindrical wall having a vertical axis, an inner wall assuming normally a cylindrical shape coaxial with the outer wall and made of a deformable material and a deformable bottom connecting the lower ends of the two walls, and at least one revolvable cylindrical roller having a vertical axis and extending inside the inner deformable wall of the container in contact therewith to urge said deformable wall towards the outer wall, a vertical shaft coaxial with the container walls, a radial member rigid with said shaft and revolvably carrying said vertical roller in contacting relationship with the inner wall of the container to deform same upon rotary movement thereof along the inner periphery of the inner wall and a motor driving said shaft and radial member into rotation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 227,311 Shipp May 4, 1880 2,499,162 Rand Feb. 28, 1950 2,997,870 Serra Aug. 29, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,049,343 Germany Jan. 29, 1955 

